Kinematic and Temporospatial Changes in Children with Cerebral Palsy during the Initial Stages of Gait Development

Rigas Dimakopoulos*, George Syrogiannopoulos, Ioanna Grivea, Zoe Dailiana, Sotirios Youroukos, Arietta Spinou

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: To identify changes in the gait kinematics and temporospatial parameters of children with bilateral Cerebral Palsy (CP) at 8 months after the onset of independent walking and identify differences to Typical Development (TD) children at the onset of independent walking and at 8 months follow up. Method: Sixteen children with bilateral CP, GMFCS levels I and II, and 15 TD children were recruited. Gait kinematics and temporospatial parameters were recorded using a 3-D gait analysis system; the sagittal plane of the lower limb joints was analyzed. Baseline measurements were recorded at the individual’s onset of independent walking and follow up was after 8 months. Results: Compared to baseline, children with bilateral CP demonstrated increased (mean difference ± SE) plantar flexion (11.79 ± 2.96), single support (0.04 ± 0.01), step length (0.2 ± 0.05) and stride length (0.4 ± 0.09), at follow up; all p < .05. Compared to TD children, they also had lower gait speed (0.16 ± 0.05), higher single support (0.02 ± 0.01) and lower maximum knee extension (9.14 ± 4.49) during the swing phase, at baseline and follow up (0.1 ± 0.04, 0.05 ± 0.01, 23.04 ± 4.17, respectively); all p < .05. Conclusion: There are changes in the sagittal plane kinematics and temporospatial parameters of the gait during the first 8 months of independent walking. These indicate gait maturation changes and highlight the impact of walking experience on the gait characteristics of children with bilateral CP.

Original languageEnglish
JournalDevelopmental neurorehabilitation
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2021

Keywords

  • cerebral palsy
  • Gait
  • kinematics
  • temporospatial

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